Does Color Matter In THC Oil?

The perfect THC oil looks like clear corn syrup placed in a transparent bottle. It looks pristine and mesmerizing. However, not every cannabis oil you buy looks exactly like corn syrup. Sometimes, it does have a tinge of color. Nevertheless, it does not mean that it is not pure. Color is not exactly an accurate basis for quality.

While we want to buy cannabis oils with nice clear color, we should not judge CBD oils or THC oils based on their color alone. Let us dig more into what THC oil color is all about. 

Usual Colors of THC Oils

THC oils and other oils extracted from the cannabis plant have extraordinary color variability regardless of their purity. Here are the standard colors and what they mean.

Clear or No Color

Many people highly value oils that have a pristinely clear color because they represent a product that does not have any oxidation. These products are not easy to achieve. However, it does not necessarily mean that they are entirely pure. There may still be solvents, acids, and other left-over compounds in the oil, but they may not affect the color.

Yes, they are superior in terms of visual aesthetics because the absence of color usually evokes a sense of purity. Nonetheless, it does not necessarily mean that they are better than gold, amber, or pink hues. It simply means that the extract has not been exposed to oxygen and has not yet had the chance to oxidize.

In the production of delta 8 THC, some lab technicians use bentonite clay to reflux the extract. The use of the clay is cheap and will produce a clear extract. Nevertheless, the method may still lead to contamination.

The bottom line is that clear THC oils look clear and pure, but the transparent color does not necessarily mean that the extract is good or bad. Also, clear oils do not necessarily mean that they have been bleached with bentonite clay. It may be clear because it has not had an opportunity to oxidize. The best way to learn about purity and quality is through a third-party lab test.

Light Pink

Sometimes a THC or CBD oil may have a light pink color. It does not mean that it has been contaminated with a potentially harmful substance. It only means that it may have partially been oxidized. Oxidation is a natural process that happens over time. When an extract is at least a few months old, it may turn pink. Refluxing and changes in the pH may also cause the extract to turn pink.

Amber

When extracts have a high pH before distillation, they often result in an amber color. Hence, some lab specialists neutralize the acids of the extracts before distillation to produce clear distillate. In this case, neutralizing any remaining acids before the distillation process can enhance the distillate quality. Nevertheless, if the distillate already has an amber color, it isn’t easy to make it clear.

Having an amber color is not necessarily a sign of lower quality. Amber hues are often the result of enriching an extract with terpenes. Terpenes encourage the entourage effect. They provide additional benefits to the potent cannabinoids present in vape oil. Terpenes like myrcene and linalool, for instance, help promote better sleep. These compounds do not only provide the vape oil with flavor and aroma.

Some THC oils may also contain gold CBD oil, making them turn amber in color. Adding CBD to THC is considered beneficial because the CBD mitigates some of the adverse effects of THC.

Dark or Cloudy

When the THC oil has a dark brown or cloudy color, it may signify old or contaminated. Old oils that have been exposed to heat, sunlight, and oxygen often turn dark or hazy in color. Be sure to check the product’s manufacture date and determine if it has been exposed to natural elements for a prolonged period.

Before inserting a vape cartridge into a vape pen, be sure to check the color of the liquid. If it looks hazy or cloudy, you may want to check the production date. While cannabis oils have a long shelf life, you may want to replace hazy-looking ones with a new batch of products to ensure good quality and potency.

Always store your vape cartridge away from direct sunlight. High temperatures can degrade cannabinoids. The same is true with CBD products. For instance, CBD infused in MCT oil should also be stored away from direct sunlight because a high temperature can lower the product’s shelf life.

The Taste of THC Oils

Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC oils do not have a particular taste. They are tasteless but may have a bit of bitterness. The oil may have a specific flavor and aroma due to terpenes.

Terpenes are usually removed during the extraction process. Hence, the oils typically have a mild taste. However, most companies add terpenes to the extract to give them a natural hemp flavor. Different terpenes or blends of terpenes produce specific flavors. Some of them produce energizing effects, while others produce a relaxing effect.

Amber color usually signifies the presence of terpenes or CBD in the extract. Whether you have a clear, pink, or amber THC oil, they will have the same taste as long as no terpene is added. However, when they contain terpenes, they have specific flavors and aromas.

Continually monitor the vape oil in your vape cartridge. If there is a color change and the taste or smell becomes off-putting, discontinue use. The product may have expired or has been exposed to the elements. Although old cannabinoids do not necessarily make you sick, expired additives may.

How Are Cannabis Oils Made?

THC and CBD oils are made using solvent extraction methods. A solvent, such as butane, ethanol, or CO2, is used to dissolve the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids and separate them from the plant matter. The resulting extract is further processed to produce distillate or isolate. The terpenes are added back to the distillate to make vape juice. In some cases, the extracts are further processed to produce pure THC or CBD isolate, which can then be infused into a carrier oil to make isolate oils.

In most cases, the extracts or isolates are infused into a carrier oil, such as MCT oil, olive oil, or hemp seed oil, to make tinctures. The color of the oil depends on the oil used. MCT oil usually produces clear oils, while olive oil and hemp seed oil produce a greenish tint.

The production of delta THC oil is a different matter. Since delta 8 cannot be extracted from industrial hemp in large quantities, it has to be isomerized from CBD. Although delta 8 produces a psychoactive effect, it is usually considered a CBD product, thus making it legal. Nevertheless, delta 8 extracts should contain less than 0.3% delta 9 THC to remain federally legal.

Whenever you buy cannabis oils from any company, check for purity by looking at the Certificate of Analysis (COA). The COA is the test result from a third-party lab. It should provide you with information regarding the product’s quality, safety, and potency.

Once again, the color of the oil is not necessarily an indication of the quality and purity of a product. The best way to find out if a product is safe and potent is to check its lab results. Never base your judgment on the color of the liquid alone.

Should You Choose Clear THC Oil?

It does not make any difference if the oil you purchase has a clear, amber, or pink hue. The most important consideration is that you check its third-party lab results. However, it would be best if you steered clear of oils that have a color that is too dark or too hazy. It may indicate contamination or too much exposure to the elements. In addition, avoid oils that have an odd smell or taste.

Is oil bleached with bentonite clay toxic?

We have already pointed out that a clear oil does not necessarily mean better than a pink or amber oil. There is a notion that clear oils are better and purer than others. Nonetheless, some companies make their oils clear by using bentonite clay. It is called bleaching, but it does not produce highly toxic oils.

Bentonite clay is not a bleach, but its effect is often described as bleaching because it produces a clear oil. Nevertheless, the oil is not toxic or dangerous. It just appears that the liquid has been bleached because the clay removes particles that produce color.

Is delta 8 THC synthetic?

Some people have the wrong notion that delta 8 THC is dangerous because it is synthetic and bad for your health. However, delta 8 THC occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. Nevertheless, it isn’t easy to extract it directly from the plant because hemp has too little delta 8 THC.

The particular process to produce high quantities of delta 8 THC is called isomerization. It is a process of changing the chemical structure of CBD to turn it into a different cannabinoid form. Although the final product requires a specific process, it can still occur in nature without any human intervention.

Delta 8 should not be compared to synthetic cannabinoids like K2 or Spice. These synthetic products are highly toxic. Nevertheless, delta 8 THC is safe to consume and has been shown to have health benefits.

Final Words

Whenever you buy cannabis oils, you should never judge them right away based on their color. Whether you buy clear, amber or pink cannabis oils does not matter. You should check the third-party lab results for quality and potency. However, if the color is dark or hazy, you may want to check the product’s expiration date.

Where to Buy Quality Tinctures

There are many low-quality products today, and it is easy to fall for them. If you are looking for top-quality products, always buy from legit and authorized sellers that are transparent about their products.

At CannaClear, we ensure that our products are safe and pure. We have valid certificates of analysis as proof. All our products are compliant with federal law. Check out our selection of tinctures and get the benefits of cannabis from each bottle. Shop from our Delta-8 Distillates now and experience cannabis high without breaking the law.